This is Peugeot’s 500bhp Indy 500 concept

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Yes, it’s only a concept, but goodness, isn’t it a striking one? Officially, it’s called the Peugeot L500 R Hybrid. Unofficially, it’s a bit mad.

There are a few reasons why, which we shall come to shortly. First, it represents a nod back to the ‘Charlatans’ team that helped Peugeot win the Indy 500 three times between 1913 and 1919 (it’s the Indy 500 this weekend, don’t forget).

So, 100 years later, Peugeot has honoured this set of victories with a concept racer that sits just one metre off the ground, weighs 1,000kg, and features a 270bhp petrol engine and a pair of electric motors (front and rear).

Total power sits at 500bhp and 538lb ft of torque. It’ll go from 0-62mph in just 2.5 of your finest theoretical seconds, and takes just 19 seconds to cover 1,000 metres. So it’s quite fast, then. In theory.

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The design too, is a thing of wonder. The single-seater cockpit is intended to represent a ‘floating capsule’ enclosed within the bodywork, with a small steering wheel – Peugeot loves ‘em – two holograms inside for the display, and a virtual co-pilot and VR headset. Very modern.

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